Sunday, 2 March 2008
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Roma4 email group
We had a meeting last night with the families of Nick, Kyle and Stacey and agreed we'd set up an email group for ALL supporters of the campaign to allow exchange of ideas and as a source of volunteers for actions/events etc. The idea is to build as large an email communication database as possible so that we can get as many supporters as possible to get involved - whether it is ideas, donations and obviously all families should be signed up if possible: The best place to do this is as a web member (additional options available) here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roma4
Alternatively for email only subscription just send a blank email to: roma4-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Alternatively for email only subscription just send a blank email to: roma4-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Monday, 21 January 2008
Police 'can clear' jailed Reds fan
Deborah Haile
21/ 1/2008
THE mother of a United supporter jailed in Italy after fighting between rival fans wants Manchester police to help prove he is innocent.
Partially-sighted Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, is serving a two-and-a-half year sentence in an Italian prison.
He was one of four men held by police in Rome after skirmishes between United and Roma fans in December.
Kyle was found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest, but his family, and girlfriend Stacey Swann, say evidence heard by the court wrongly suggested Kyle was `known' to Greater Manchester Police as a travelling troublemaker.
Janet says GMP officers told her that Kyle was `known' to police as a fan and not a troublemaker. She believes the Italian judicial system may have misinterpreted information.
But she says GMP have not yet put anything in writing that could be used at her son's appeal, which starts next month.
Janet said: "My son has never been in trouble with the police and they have told me that all they said was that he is a Manchester United fan.
"But when I asked for that in writing they said that any evidence that they may or may not have given to the Italian police is confidential. I am just disgusted with them."
Greater Manchester Police say it remains a matter for the Italians.
Three other supporters, including Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford were jailed. All four will appeal. Their next stage of their hearing is expected to be on February 23.
21/ 1/2008
THE mother of a United supporter jailed in Italy after fighting between rival fans wants Manchester police to help prove he is innocent.
Partially-sighted Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, is serving a two-and-a-half year sentence in an Italian prison.
He was one of four men held by police in Rome after skirmishes between United and Roma fans in December.
Kyle was found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest, but his family, and girlfriend Stacey Swann, say evidence heard by the court wrongly suggested Kyle was `known' to Greater Manchester Police as a travelling troublemaker.
Janet says GMP officers told her that Kyle was `known' to police as a fan and not a troublemaker. She believes the Italian judicial system may have misinterpreted information.
But she says GMP have not yet put anything in writing that could be used at her son's appeal, which starts next month.
Janet said: "My son has never been in trouble with the police and they have told me that all they said was that he is a Manchester United fan.
"But when I asked for that in writing they said that any evidence that they may or may not have given to the Italian police is confidential. I am just disgusted with them."
Greater Manchester Police say it remains a matter for the Italians.
Three other supporters, including Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford were jailed. All four will appeal. Their next stage of their hearing is expected to be on February 23.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Jailed fans to question evidence
Deborah Haile
11/ 1/2008
FOUR Manchester United fans jailed in Italy for their part in a fight are to lodge an appeal against their convictions today.
Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, Nicholas Lucas, 18, and Richard Wimmer, 39, were jailed by an Italian court last month.
The four had found themselves in the middle of skirmishes on the Duca d'Aosta Bridge, near the Stadio Olimpico - a hang-out for Roma's hard-line supporters known as the Ultras - before the Reds' match against the Italian side on December 12.
The court found them guilty of violent behaviour and of resisting arrest. Kyle, who is partially sighted, was jailed for two-and-a-half years along with Richard. Michael and Nicholas were sentenced to two years and five months.
Italian media reports at the time suggested the four had been part of a group of about 60 supporters that broke away from an escort and made their own way to the stadium before hitting trouble. And there had been suggestions that the four were known to police in England.
But the men and their families maintain their innocence and will lodge an appeal with the Italian courts.
This will allow them to question the evidence.
Kyle's mum Janet says the appeal can only question evidence that was presented to the court in the initial hearing.
That's because his first solicitor opted for an `abbreviated trial', which doesn't allow for defendants to offer any evidence of their own and limits the scope of their appeal. As a result, Janet says the appeal is expected to question claims by the Italian police that they had not used tear gas and that they had resisted arrest.
She says they will also seek the support of Greater Manchester Police to quash claims that the four were known to police.
She says it could be months for the process to be complete. But, ultimately, she believes Kyle will be cleared.
Janet, who has just returned from a trip to the Regina Coeli prison with the families of the three other men, said: "Kyle has told me everything that happened and I know that he is not lying.
"He is a strong lad. I can see he is really sad, but he is trying to be strong for us. He's worried about all of us at home."
Kyle suffers from an inherited condition called Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, resulting in only partial vision in each eye.
Two years ago Kyle was featured in the M.E.N. after winning Individual of the Year from the Manchester Employer Coalition, after he successfully qualified as a gas engineer.
11/ 1/2008
FOUR Manchester United fans jailed in Italy for their part in a fight are to lodge an appeal against their convictions today.
Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, Nicholas Lucas, 18, and Richard Wimmer, 39, were jailed by an Italian court last month.
The four had found themselves in the middle of skirmishes on the Duca d'Aosta Bridge, near the Stadio Olimpico - a hang-out for Roma's hard-line supporters known as the Ultras - before the Reds' match against the Italian side on December 12.
The court found them guilty of violent behaviour and of resisting arrest. Kyle, who is partially sighted, was jailed for two-and-a-half years along with Richard. Michael and Nicholas were sentenced to two years and five months.
Italian media reports at the time suggested the four had been part of a group of about 60 supporters that broke away from an escort and made their own way to the stadium before hitting trouble. And there had been suggestions that the four were known to police in England.
But the men and their families maintain their innocence and will lodge an appeal with the Italian courts.
This will allow them to question the evidence.
Kyle's mum Janet says the appeal can only question evidence that was presented to the court in the initial hearing.
That's because his first solicitor opted for an `abbreviated trial', which doesn't allow for defendants to offer any evidence of their own and limits the scope of their appeal. As a result, Janet says the appeal is expected to question claims by the Italian police that they had not used tear gas and that they had resisted arrest.
She says they will also seek the support of Greater Manchester Police to quash claims that the four were known to police.
She says it could be months for the process to be complete. But, ultimately, she believes Kyle will be cleared.
Janet, who has just returned from a trip to the Regina Coeli prison with the families of the three other men, said: "Kyle has told me everything that happened and I know that he is not lying.
"He is a strong lad. I can see he is really sad, but he is trying to be strong for us. He's worried about all of us at home."
Kyle suffers from an inherited condition called Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, resulting in only partial vision in each eye.
Two years ago Kyle was featured in the M.E.N. after winning Individual of the Year from the Manchester Employer Coalition, after he successfully qualified as a gas engineer.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Anger as Reds fan is jailed in Rome
Source: Tameside Advertiser
2/ 1/2008
THE family of a Manchester United supporter jailed in Italy for his part in a fight against Roma fans have vowed to fight to overturn the court’s decision.
Kyle Dillon, 23, who is partially blind, was arrested by Italian police after skirmishes broke out before the recent game in Rome.
He was one of four supporters accused of violent behaviour and resisting arrest.
A court sentenced Kyle (pictured), of Hyde, to two years six months in jail.
At the same hearing Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, and Nicholas Lucas, 18, were jailed for two years and five months. Richard Wimmer, 39, was given a sentence of two years and six months.
Kyle’s family — who collected character references and medical reports for the court — are shocked and say they are determined to do all they can to overturn the decision at appeal.
Kyle’s girlfriend Stacey, who was due to fly to Italy, said: "They are saying he was part of an organised gang, but that isn’t true. Kyle has never been in any trouble — he’s a brilliant person."
Dad John said the strain of prison life was taking its toll on Kyle.
He said: "He is a strong lad with a strong character, but he doesn’t seem to be coping too well."
The four men were due to appear in court again on Monday where an appeals tribunal could suspend their sentences and release them.
2/ 1/2008
THE family of a Manchester United supporter jailed in Italy for his part in a fight against Roma fans have vowed to fight to overturn the court’s decision.
Kyle Dillon, 23, who is partially blind, was arrested by Italian police after skirmishes broke out before the recent game in Rome.
He was one of four supporters accused of violent behaviour and resisting arrest.
A court sentenced Kyle (pictured), of Hyde, to two years six months in jail.
At the same hearing Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, and Nicholas Lucas, 18, were jailed for two years and five months. Richard Wimmer, 39, was given a sentence of two years and six months.
Kyle’s family — who collected character references and medical reports for the court — are shocked and say they are determined to do all they can to overturn the decision at appeal.
Kyle’s girlfriend Stacey, who was due to fly to Italy, said: "They are saying he was part of an organised gang, but that isn’t true. Kyle has never been in any trouble — he’s a brilliant person."
Dad John said the strain of prison life was taking its toll on Kyle.
He said: "He is a strong lad with a strong character, but he doesn’t seem to be coping too well."
The four men were due to appear in court again on Monday where an appeals tribunal could suspend their sentences and release them.
Saturday, 29 December 2007
For the families of those arrested in Italy
IMUSA
Michael Burk, Kyle Dillon, Nicholas Lukacs and Richard Wimmer remain in jail for the time being.
IMUSA has good contacts in Italy and practical help is available to any of the families involved if they want to get in touch.
comms@imusa.org
Michael Burk, Kyle Dillon, Nicholas Lukacs and Richard Wimmer remain in jail for the time being.
IMUSA has good contacts in Italy and practical help is available to any of the families involved if they want to get in touch.
comms@imusa.org
Jailed fans 'treated like animals'
Manchester Evening News
Don Frame
29/12/2007
FAMILIES of four Manchester United fans jailed for more than two years in Italy say they are being treated like animals in prison.
The men, who denied violent behaviour and resisting arrest before United's game against Roma earlier this month, have to remain behind bars until their appeals are heard - which could be up to six months away.
Families flew out to the Rome jail before Christmas and have now joined forces to try to get them out.
One of the four, Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, near Hyde, is partially sighted. He was jailed for two years and five months.
His mother Janet said: "I couldn't believe this was an EU country when we saw the conditions they are being kept in.
"The cells are freezing cold, the lads were kept for two weeks in the same clothes they had been wearing when they were brought in, the food is awful, and the prison officers treat them like absolute dirt.
"They are kept confined to their cells all day with the exception of a 20-minute exercise break. Nobody seems to speak any English and they are constantly being bombarded with forms they are asked to sign, which they can't understand.
"We are all on a horrifying emotional roller-coaster, and nobody seems to be doing anything to help us."
Italian police claim the four men were part of a group of 60 or 70 fans dressed in black who crossed a bridge outside the stadium in search of a fight.
Families, however, say that English supporters were taken by bus to the ground where they were told to get off in the middle of Italian fans who then bombarded them with bottles and missiles.
Another jailed fan is Nicholas Lukacs, 18, from Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire. His mum Anna said: "Riot police moved in, tear gas was used, and officers just kept hitting them with batons.
"Nicholas said he fell, and held out his hands to the police as if to say `I've done nothing, help me' and they took no notice and still hit him.
"Somebody from the British Embassy went to see him and told us that he was all right.
"In fact, he was covered in bruises from the beating and could hardly walk for three days. The conditions in which they are being held are horrendous. We have been told they will remain there until the appeal hearing.
"The next step now is to appoint our own lawyer, who may also represent one or two of the other lads. We are just ordinary decent families struggling to cope with a situation that is totally alien to us."
The other fans in prison are Michael Burk 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, who was jailed for two years and four months, and Richard Wimmer, 39, believed to be from Yorkshire, who got two years five months.
Don Frame
29/12/2007
FAMILIES of four Manchester United fans jailed for more than two years in Italy say they are being treated like animals in prison.
The men, who denied violent behaviour and resisting arrest before United's game against Roma earlier this month, have to remain behind bars until their appeals are heard - which could be up to six months away.
Families flew out to the Rome jail before Christmas and have now joined forces to try to get them out.
One of the four, Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, near Hyde, is partially sighted. He was jailed for two years and five months.
His mother Janet said: "I couldn't believe this was an EU country when we saw the conditions they are being kept in.
"The cells are freezing cold, the lads were kept for two weeks in the same clothes they had been wearing when they were brought in, the food is awful, and the prison officers treat them like absolute dirt.
"They are kept confined to their cells all day with the exception of a 20-minute exercise break. Nobody seems to speak any English and they are constantly being bombarded with forms they are asked to sign, which they can't understand.
"We are all on a horrifying emotional roller-coaster, and nobody seems to be doing anything to help us."
Italian police claim the four men were part of a group of 60 or 70 fans dressed in black who crossed a bridge outside the stadium in search of a fight.
Families, however, say that English supporters were taken by bus to the ground where they were told to get off in the middle of Italian fans who then bombarded them with bottles and missiles.
Another jailed fan is Nicholas Lukacs, 18, from Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire. His mum Anna said: "Riot police moved in, tear gas was used, and officers just kept hitting them with batons.
"Nicholas said he fell, and held out his hands to the police as if to say `I've done nothing, help me' and they took no notice and still hit him.
"Somebody from the British Embassy went to see him and told us that he was all right.
"In fact, he was covered in bruises from the beating and could hardly walk for three days. The conditions in which they are being held are horrendous. We have been told they will remain there until the appeal hearing.
"The next step now is to appoint our own lawyer, who may also represent one or two of the other lads. We are just ordinary decent families struggling to cope with a situation that is totally alien to us."
The other fans in prison are Michael Burk 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, who was jailed for two years and four months, and Richard Wimmer, 39, believed to be from Yorkshire, who got two years five months.
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